Curated OER
The Executive Branch
Young scholars study the executive branch of the Michigan government through online research and by answering questions. They discover the difference between the legislative and executive branches through class discussion.
Curated OER
What are the Qualifications to be President of the United States?
Learners research the qualifications necessary to be the president of the United States. They create a want-ad for this position using what they have learned about the qualifications.
Curated OER
Members of Congress Who Have Made a Significant Contribution
Students examine laws that have benefited the nation in a variety of ways. The congressperson in the legislative branch of the government primarily responsible for the passage of the law and the current representatives are sought in this...
Curated OER
The Three Branches of Utah's Government
Seventh graders explain the relationship between Utah's three branches of government.
C-SPAN
Supreme Court Justices Research and Resumes
According to Article III, Section1 of the United States constitution, the only qualification one needs to be appointed to the Supreme Court is to demonstrate "good behavior." The president and Congress are given the power to determine...
Carolina K-12
Principles of the US Constitution
After breaking into groups according to major principles of government (i.e., popular sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, etc.) in the United States, your class members will produce public service announcements...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 2 James Madison: The Second National Bank—Powers Not Specified in the Constitution
How much power is too much power for the federal government? Scholars use primary documents and constitutional research in groups to analyze the creation of the Second National Bank under James Madison. This is the second lesson of a...
Teaching Tolerance
Why Local Elections Matter
Uncle Sam wants everyone to vote in local elections! Geared toward middle and high school scholars, the resource explores voter turnout and the importance of local elections. Academics participate in group discussion, complete...
Curated OER
Charting the Three Branches of Government
Learners review CongressLink on the internet and study the branches of government. They work in groups to create charts showing the structure and functions of the three branches of government as outlined in the first three articles to...
Curated OER
Our System of Checks and Balances
Students study the governmental system of checks and balances between the individual branches. The balances are reviewed and the goal of the lesson plan is to develop and answer the question, "What are some ways the three branches of our...
Curated OER
The Three Branches of Government
Seventh graders discover details about the responsibilities of the 3 branches of government in the United States. In this checks and balances instructional activity, 7th graders view a SMART Board supported lecture that reveals the jobs...
Curated OER
Branches of Government
Students participate in a sorting activity to research and categorize the three branches of government. They listen to teacher read aloud and write questions for a game based activity
Curated OER
US Government: The Checks and Balances System of the US Constitution
Students examine the responsibilities of the 3 branches of U.S. government. In this checks and balances lesson, students identify the powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. Students share examples of...
Curated OER
Washington, D.C.: Capital of the United States
In this Washington, D.C. worksheet, students fill in a crossword puzzle as they figure out the answers to thirteen facts about the capital of the United States.
Curated OER
United States Pride
Third graders learn the responsibility of citizenship and learn facts about a state they choose to research.
Curated OER
Design a State Seal
Fourth graders examine the meanings of symbols on the Ohio state Seal. They create their own personal seals which include three items about themselves. They write explanations about their seals.
Curated OER
Leaders & Leadership: A Political Power Structure from Washington to West KY
Though outdated (the presentation names members of the Bush Administration as current political leaders), these slides could be useful to an industrious teacher who is willing to update the information in the Executive, Judicial, and...
Curated OER
Supreme Court Decisions and Their Effect On Us
Consider five Supreme Court cases and how their outcomes have directly affected the American population. Government students research and compose a 1-2 page pager outlining the examples of our daily life that have specifically been...
Curated OER
How Congress Works
Students describe role of the U.S. Congress in American government as set forth in the Constitution, and explain why the Framers created a Congress with a House and a Senate and gave them different roles.
Curated OER
Hopi Tribal Council
Focusing on the differences between traditional Hopi government and the Hopi Tribal Council, this resource is a good addition to your unit on Native American culture. Learners conduct Internet research, analyze primary source photos, and...
Heritage Foundation
Voting and the Constitution
How difficult was it for everyone to get voting rights? Understanding voting rights and the fight to get them for everyone in the United States can be tricky for some learners. However, they are clarified after engaging in the...
School Improvement in Maryland
Building a Pyramid
After reviewing the structure and powers of the three branches of the US government, groups investigate a problem and research what is being done to address this criticism.
School Improvement in Maryland
Executive Order
After reading information about Executive Order #9066, class members assume the voice of an 18 year-old Japanese-American born in California and placed in an internment camp. Individuals then craft a letter to President Roosevelt...
iCivics
Mini-Lesson: Executive Orders
Can the President of the United States pass a law all by himself? Scholars investigate the concept of the executive order in regards to the powers of the presidency. They use current issues and events to monitor media bias while also...